Look after your pugs: South East vets’ warning over pets overheating

Brachycephalic breeds such as pugs are even more at risk from overheating than other dogs

Published:11:38Saturday 15 July 2017

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Pet owners are being warned to take extra care of their animals as the hot weather returns – after more than 60 per cent of vets reported animals being affected by heat-related conditions last summer.

Dogs may particularly struggle to stay cool in these high temperatures and humid conditions since, unlike humans, they are unable to cool down quickly through sweating, rendering them vulnerable to overheating.

Brachycephalic breeds such as French bulldogs and pugs are even more at risk, as their short noses can make breathing properly difficult, and therefore cooling down much harder.

According to British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, which polled more than 1,000 vets across the UK, significantly more vets reported treating animals for heat-related conditions last summer compared to 2015.

50 per cent of companion animal vets in the UK had seen an average of five cases of dogs requiring treatment – with one in four vets seeing as many as eight cases of animals in need of treatment for heat-related conditions over the course of the summer.

British Veterinary Association President Gudrun Ravetz said: “With hot weather looking set to stay for a while, we’re advising pet owners to take some simple steps to ensure that their furry friends stay happy and healthy this summer.

“Even temperatures in the mid-teens can prove uncomfortable for animals, especially if they are kept inside without any shade in direct sunlight.

“As a dog owner, I know that dogs in particular won’t stop enjoying themselves because it is hot, so it’s up to owners to do all we can to prevent overheating happening – and be able to recognise the signs and act quickly if it does.